VINELAND — When Parvin State Park reopens today after three months of being closed for storm damage cleanup, officials expect the faithful to return.

The storm devastation was among the latest of obstacles for the state park to overcome since a threatened closing four years ago.

“People will be here. One guy asked me if he got here at sunrise, could he get his boat on the water,” Vince Bonica, the park superintendent said Thursday. “I told him of course he could.”

The park closed to visitors the day after a June 30 derecho with estimated 80 mph winds swept through the area. Two young children died when a tree fell on their tent while their families were camping inside the park.

The park was one of nine recommended for closure in 2008 by then- Gov. Jon S. Corzine to save money. He relented, and the legislature used $9 million from a beach-replenishment fund to keep the parks open another year.

And in 2011, Gov. Chris Christie recommended contractors take over concessions and event services at Parvin and other state parks, saying the cash generated by the move could help keep the 50-plus state parks, forests and recreation areas open. No contracts were ever awarded.

The completion of the cleanup effort at the park and the reopening were announced late Wednesday by Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin.

Bonica said the cleanup was extensive. A lot of trees had to be cleared.

“There is a lot less shade now and more space for people,” Bonica said.

More than 2,000 storm-damaged trees were removed and another 1,500 hazard branches or “hangers” were trimmed from healthy trees to ensure the safety of all visitors, including many hikers and campers who frequent the park.

The work was done by the State Park Service, New Jersey State Forestry Service, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, private contractor Asplundh Tree Service and Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee volunteers.

“We are elated that the park is reopening,” said Rob Zuest, president and chief executive officer of the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee volunteers. “Any time that the park is threatened to close or when it closed for the storm, we just can’t wait for it to be open again.”

(Page 2 of 3)

Zuest said the park is part of his lifestyle and he formed the appreciation committee when he was 16. He said he plans to visit today when the park opens.

Zuest said he was proud of the work his volunteers completed.

“My group did work on trail clearing and stream clearing and we were cutting grass,” Zuest said.

He said 56 volunteers helped to clear tree limbs and downed trees as well as the other jobs.

“After June 30th, the heatwave came through and made it more difficult to work,” Zuest said. “It’s been a busy summer. But we’re glad the park will open again. It’s a great place to bring your kid fishing and there really isn’t any other place like it around.”

The swimming and food concession areas at Parvin reopened in late July.

However, the trails, lake access for boating, Thundergust group picnic area, and camping and cabin areas remained closed while work to remove hazardous trees continued.

Bonica expects visitors to the park — which is open sunrise to sunset — to be waiting at the gate at the first sign of daylight.

“Every day we have had people coming here and asking us when we would be reopened,” Bonica said.

“We have a lot of regular users early in the morning or late in the afternoon who walk their dog, their child or ride bikes,” Bonica said.

Bonica said the cleanup effort was tedious, but credited the many groups and organizations who helped.

“I was there the day after the storm and saw firsthand the devastation,” he said.

“It just made sense to be closed and when you sat down and explained to people that we weren’t doing this to inconvenience them, they understood,” Bonica said. “They understand that we want everything to be back to normal and up to snuff.”

Bonica said the park has a loyal following.

“This reopening has been a long time coming, especially in our busiest season. The closure was unavoidable, and we can’t wait to see people come to our office,” Bonica said.

(Page 3 of 3)

Final inspections of the forested areas of the park were completed late last week by the State Forestry Service, according to a statement issued by the Department of Environmental Protection.

All events planned for this weekend, including the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee’s annual Halloween walks, will be held as scheduled, according to the statement.

“While it was unfortunate that Parvin State Park had to close, the safety and welfare of our park visitors is always our top priority,” said Rich Boornazian, DEP assistant commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “With the cleanup work completed, we invite residents to come back to this wonderful park.”

The Pittsgrove Township mayor lauded the park cleanup and reopening.”

“Parvin State Park is definitely the gem of our township,” added Pittsgrove Mayor Linda A. DuBois. “We look forward to Parvin’s reopening because so many of our residents really missed being able to experience and enjoy the park.”

Parvin State Park is situated in a mixed hardwood and pine forest at the edge of the Pine Barrens.

It is a popular destination for camping, hiking, swimming, boating and fishing. It has individual tent campsites, large group campsites and cabins.

Bonica said the cabins are booked for this year and the park is taking reservations for cabins for September 2013.

“Right now we book for next September because we book 11 months out,” Bonica said. “In November, that’s when the phones go crazy booking for next October.”

A non-event Saturday attracts 1,000 people on a nice day, Bonica said. He said he was eager to see familiar faces.

“They will be here, unless they found a place to go that was better — but I doubt that,” Bonica said.

You will automatically receive the TheDailyJournal.com Top 5 daily email newsletter. If you don't want to receive this newsletter, you can change your newsletter selections in your account preferences.